Follow Us!

Signup for IABC Dallas Email

Want to be sure you hear about IABC Dallas events and opportunities? Sign up here and we will add you to our email list.

*Type Text from Image:

TWITTER

Follow @IABCDallas on Twitter and use our hashtag, #IABCDallas, to share

November 2017

Message From Our President

Can you believe the holidays are upon us? I can’t. This fall is flying by! As we take time later this month to reflect upon our gratitude and thankfulness, our board is doing the same. We’re thankful for many things, but two rising to the top are our members and our sponsors. At this month’s professional development lunch, we will take time to thank our volunteers (our Heroes) for their time. At the same time, we will also focus the lunch discussion on corporate volunteerism and community involvement. We have some stellar panelists; I hope you can make it.

Each month, approximately 30 volunteers are working behind the scenes to keep the chapter running. We couldn’t do it without them and we always need more! Volunteering is an excellent way to build skills in a safe place. Maybe you’re looking to gain experience leading a team or want to learn graphic design or content development. Sometimes there are barriers to doing so at your day job, but in volunteering you can learn these things in a safe, friendly environment. If you’re interested, visit the volunteer section of our website.

Just as we could not operate without volunteers, many of the benefits and programming you enjoy each month would not be possible without our generous sponsors. In this edition of our newsletter, we highlight our sponsorship program. If you come across an IABC Dallas sponsor, be sure to thank them and consider giving them some business!

I hope to see you soon at an IABC Dallas lunch or happy hour. Until then, feel free to reach out with questions or suggestions.

Melissa Hancock is the 2017/2018 President for the Chapter. She is also a Vice President at Weber Shandwick, one of the world's leading public relations firms.

Benefits of Sponsorship

It goes without saying that IABC Dallas members love our sponsors. After all, their financial support helps the chapter offer the professional development it’s known for. But what additional benefits do sponsors offer to the organization beyond the financial one? For an organization that depends on sponsor support, it is important to know; “Why do they do it?”

Mark McKendrick VP of Sponsorship IABC Dallas

Mark McKendrick, Business Development Manager, The Boss Group, serves on the IABC Dallas Board of Directors as VP of Sponsorship. Mark emphasizes that sponsorship leads to professional connections, enhancing a benefit IABC Dallas is also known for.

“Many members are decision-makers at their firms, often at the executive level. This means that sponsors are getting extra exposure to those who can best partner with their company,” Mark explains.

Creating the opportunity for face-to-face connection can lead to timely business connections. “One of our sponsors was able to connect with a potential client at a recent event,” said Mark. “And another time, a sponsor who had a need – for video work – met an attendee with that skill. They found the exact resource they needed because they were both there.” Clearly, sponsorship benefits go both ways.

David Lee, President and CEO of PartnerComm, has spearheaded his company’s sponsorship of the IABC Fall Conference on October 13, as well as other association events. Lee agrees that professional connections are important, and notes that when employees of PartnerComm attend IABC Dallas events, “they gain a broader perspective [of the industry] and professional education.” They may even meet a future client or mentor there.

And there are additional altruistic benefits as well. “The kind of recognition an association like IABC gives to industry leaders is important,” Lee notes, because it builds credibility. When communication leaders support the organization and the work it does, it ensures that work will continue and helps to build a supportive community. “We’ve gained so much by being members of IABC;” Lee says, “we want to pay it forward.”

Lunch Sponsorships

Chapter Sponsorships

Start at $250

Start at $1,000

Include event tickets and personal introduction

Include year-long visibility via event and digital communication

While each sponsorship contract is customized to fit sponsor needs, the agreements typically include event exposure, as well as promotion in the IABC Dallas newsletters and social media communications. Our members get to see a sponsor company’s expertise, willingness to engage in the professional community, and generosity. What’s not to love about that? If your company is interested in becoming an IABC Sponsor, please contact Mark McKendrick at m.mckendrick@thebossgroup.com.

Laura Rivera serves on the Communications Team for IABC Dallas. Working in the DFW area, she has 10+ years of experience managing and producing communication strategies and marketing content.

Invest in Yourself: Digital Marketing Program Helps Open Doors and Improve Skills

Content provided by Chapter Sponsor SMU CAPE

Years of working as a marketer in financial services industry left Kelly Sargent feeling a bit behind the times.

“I didn’t have a lot of experience in digital marketing. My former employer didn’t see a lot of value in marketing and the financial services industry is typically laggard in all things digital, so I hadn’t had the opportunity to even experiment, “ said Sargent.

A layoff in February of 2016 meant Kelly had more time on her hands, so she took the leap, enrolling in the Digital Marketing Certificate program at SMU CAPE.

“I’d been looking at the program for a long time,” said Kelly. “My job search was slower than I expected, so I decided to enroll to learn more about SEO, ad words and everything digital to become more competitive in the job marketplace.”

Soon after she enrolled in the program and listed it on her resume and LinkedIn profile, she started getting more attention.

“To stay competitive, you have to invest in yourself,” said Kelly, who just started a new position as director of marketing for a software company. “All the people I’ve met, the connections I’ve made through my class, have really benefited me in so many ways.”

She credits the SMU CAPE Digital Marketing program with helping her expand her network and meet many people in similar career junctures.

On top of getting a new job, Kelly recently started her own nonprofit called Millie’s Mutts. ““Through the network I’ve gained at SMU CAPE, I have met many new connections, including a classmate who connected me to a graphic designer in Los Angeles who designed my logo pro bono.”

Kelly is now taking Digital Engagements and Advanced Social Media Management, her third class in the program. “Sometimes you just need the impetus to reengage.”

Interested in enrolling in SMU CAPE’s Digital Marketing Certificate program or another SMU CAPE course? IABC members receive a discount on their tuition by using code IABC10 when you register.

Member Winner

Congratulations to Nincy Mathew of our Dallas chapter who won a $100 Ticketmaster gift card for renewing her IABC membership during October’s IABC Rocktober member promotion. Follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook so you don’t miss out on local news and promotions like this one.